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The wife of a professor who was killed in a drunk driving accident last year filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the local restaurant where the drunk driver was employed and drank alcohol that night.
John P. Manzer, 59, was leaving a drugstore around midnight last August when his Corvette was struck by an Audi driven by 22-year-old Daniel Epple who worked at Cork ‘N Cleaver restaurant.
According to the lawsuit, the widow, Marilyn V. Manzer, claims the restaurant acted negligently by allowing the driver to consume alcohol in excess and leave the premises intoxicated.
Epples blood-alcohol level was 0.17, and he was arrested and charged for operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level over 0.15, which caused a fatality.
Manzer''s attorney, Mark Ulmschneider, said Epple got off work the night of the accident, but stayed at the restaurant to drink with the other employees.
The lawsuit accuses the restaurant of keeping Epple in its employment even though they knew hehad a history of consuming alcohol in excess.
Epple pleaded guilty to the charge earlier this month, and will be sentenced on May 26. His testimony is scheduled for May 3.
Manzer is seeking unspecified damages from the restaurant, Cork ‘N Cleaver, as well as the owner of the restaurant, Seward''s Folly Inc.